
August 13, 2020

Little duos, today Tullibardine

It’s one of the distilleries we’ll never drop, even if there are few new expressions. They have certainly become even scarcer than ‘Secret Speysides’, Ardmores or Ben Nevis these days, but I feel it remains our duty to try to taste whiskies from just any distilleries from time to time. I mean, Scottish ones, at least.

Tullibardine ‘228 Burgundy Finish’ (43%, OB, +/-2019)

Of course we’re scared, Pinot Noir, what could go wrong? Unless this would be chardonnay that is, or even aligoté, or sauvignon from the north (Saint-Bris). Oh, just saw that it was finished in a 228-litre cask of red Chassagne, while indeed, 228 litres is the regular size of the traditional ‘pièce’ they use in Côte d’Or. So, it’s well red, let’s fasten our seat belts… Colour: gold. No red hues. Nose: caramel, butterscotch, raspberry ganache, some lamp oil and paraffin, a pack of thin mints, toasted American oak (but Burgundy ought to be European oak), waffles, and just the wee-est whiffs of gas. Or truffles, they produce grey ones in Burgundy. Mouth: I enjoyed the nose but the palate is not quite to my liking, too leafy, vinous, sourish… Grape and grain! But I’m sure it’s well made, it’s just that only lovers of this very peculiar style of premix may enjoy this baby. Sour cherry juice, cardamom... Finish: medium, leafy and spicy. Green pepper. Comments: rather a Janus malt. I really enjoyed the nose; the palate is rather less for me – but that’s me.
SGP:561 - 78 points.

And now an IB that’s probably much cleaner and perhaps leaner, let’s see. Tullibardine isn’t quite a gentle spirit anyway…

Tullibardine 10 yo 2007/2017 (57%, Golden Cask, cask #CM243)

This wee range by the House of Macduff. Colour: white wine. Nose: indeed, it’s pure Tullibardine, with whiffs of brake pads, struck matches, concrete, wool, grist and buckwheat flour, porridge, new plywood and paraffin. A mocha spoon of marmalade. I think I like this. With water: just more of all that. In the laundry room in the basement! Mouth (neat): very good! Powerful, ridden with green lemons at first, then waxy dough, more porridge, bitters, a green smokiness, and ‘eating plasticine’ when we were kids. With water: Tullibardine’s distillate has got really good, as long as you let it shine forth naturally. Lovely citrus, flesh and peel. Finish: long, waxier, more mineral as well. Comments: a class act by the House of Macduff. I hope well’s soon see more Tullibardine au naturel. Viva refill!
SGP:462 - 87 points.

Check the index of all Tullibardine we've tasted so far